Card Game and Method of Playing

ABSTRACT

A card game including a specialized deck of numbered and specialty playing cards and a passing trophy are disclosed. Each player is dealt cards until no cards remain. After one player discards one or more cards into a play pile, the players take a turn, each turn requiring a player to discard a card that is equal to or greater than the numerical value of a previously played card. A player can play up to four identical cards in a single turn, at which point the play pile is eliminated. If the player does not possess a card that is equal to or greater than the previously played card, the player must add the play pile to his or her hand. Alternatively, the player can discard a specialty card. The last player to have cards in his or her hand is identified as the losing player and receives the trophy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/894,131 filed on Oct. 22, 2013. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a card game and a method of playing. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved card game wherein the objective of the game is to identify a losing player. The method of playing generally comprises the steps of discarding up to four identical cards or a specialty card until a player runs out of cards. The last player with cards remaining in his or her hand is the losing player and receives a passing trophy.

Card games are popular among various group of people and are a great form of entertainment for adults and children alike. Traditional card games such as poker, solitaire, and blackjack are generally played with a conventional deck including fifty-two cards divided into four suits of thirteen cards each. Playing traditional card games over and over, however, can quickly become boring or uninteresting.

Some variations of card games utilize a deck of specialized cards such as UNO®. These types of cards include wild cards or cards that alter the rules of the game. However, the objective of these card games, like traditional card games, is to identify the winning player, wherein the winning player can earn points or receive an award.

The present invention describes a method and apparatus for a card game. The device comprises a specialized deck of forty-four numbered cards, ten specialty cards, and a passing trophy. In one embodiment, the passing trophy comprises a can koozie. The numbered cards range from number one to number eleven, and each deck comprises four sets of numbered cards so that there are four identical numbered cards in each deck. Each of the specialty cards comprises a rule. For example: a first specialty card indicates that all cards in the play pile must stay in play, and the next player may play any card thereafter; a second specialty card indicates that the next played card must be equal to or be greater than the numerical value as the previously played card; and a third specialty card indicates that all cards in the play pile must be eliminated.

In another embodiment, the method of playing generally comprises the steps of matching the value of a previously played card, playing a card of higher value, or playing a specialty card. Each player is dealt three cards face down and three cards face up. The remaining cards are then dealt to the players until no cards remain. During each turn, a player may play up to four numbered cards of the same value in a single turn, or one specialty card. The numbered cards must be equal or greater in value than a previously played numbered card.

When four cards of the same value are played, the cards in the play pile are removed from play. If a player cannot play a card that is equal to or greater than the previously played numbered card, the player must add all of the cards from the play pile to his or her hand. All cards in hand must be played before the three face up cards and the three face down cards are played. If none of the face up cards is a specialty card, or is not equal to or greater than the previously played card, the player must add all of the cards from the play pile to his or her hand. Additionally, the player may pick one of the face up cards and add it to his or her hand. These cards must be played before the remaining face up cards are played. If two or three of the face up cards are of the same numerical value, however, the player may add all of the face up cards to his or her hand. When all of the face up cards are played, the face down cards may be played, one card at a time. If a face down card in the player's hand is not a specialty card, or is not equal to or greater than the previously played card, the player must add all of the cards from the play pile to his or her hand. These cards must then be played before the remaining face down cards are played. The last player with cards in his or her possession losses, and receives the can koozie as a trophy. The can koozie may be passed from one losing player to the next losing player.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various types of method and apparatus for card games are known in the prior art. These include methods and apparatus that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some of these games are played with rules making the last player with cards in his or her possession the losing player. Other games disclose a card game that provides a hat to be worn by the losing player. None of the games, however, include a deck of forty-four numbered cards, ten specialty cards, and a can koozie, or use the same method of play. The foregoing is a list of games and methods of playing deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,919 to Ringuette discloses a card game and a method of playing the same. The game comprises a deck of numbered cards. The predetermined number of cards are dealt to each players and the remaining cards form a draw pile. One card from the draw pile is turned face up to start a separate discard pile. The objective of the game is for each player to remove cards from his or her hand of cards by discarding a card that is either a multiple or a divisor of a card shown on the top of the discard pile. Thus, the card game of Ringuette does not comprise a trophy that can be passed from one losing player to another. Furthermore, the card game of Ringuette does not follow the rules of the game of the present invention. Rather, the card game of Ringuette is a mathematical card game based on multiplication and division.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,885 to Breese discloses a card game comprising two sets of cards, a hat, and a game board having a set of rules printed thereon. The first set of cards comprises a complete set of standard playing cards while the second set of cards establishes ranking of each of the players. The hat is worn by a losing player after the first round of games. While the card game of Breese includes a hat that is worn by a losing player, Breese does not disclose a can koozie that is passed from one losing player to another. Furthermore, the present invention does not comprise a game board and a two sets of game cards.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,235 to Vancura discloses a card game having at least seven sets of cards. Cards from each of the sets can be combined to form winning combinations of cards. The objective of the present invention, however, is to determine a losing player, which is the last player with cards in his or her hand. Thus, the objective of the card game of Vancura differs from the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,484 to Strauss discloses a card game that includes a deck of cards with two or more suits and each suit having cards numbered consecutively starting with zero. The cards are dealt to each player, and a card is placed face up in a play pile. Each player then places a higher numbered card in the play pile until one player has no cards or until no cards can be played. A winner is determined based on the player who has no cards or the player with the lowest total value of face cards in his or her hand. While the game of Strauss involves each player playing a higher numbered card in the play pile, the present invention is different from the game of Strauss in that the present invention also allows each player to play a card of same numerical value or a specialty card if the player does not have a higher card in his or her hand. Additionally, the objective of the present card game is to determine a losing player rather than a winning player.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,682 to Otuzbiryan discloses a card game comprising a deck of cards with each card having a designated point value, with objective being to achieve a hand having the highest point value. Each player receives four cards, one card is discarded, leaving three cards to be combined to achieve the point value for the hand. The card game of Otuzbiryan however, differ from the present invention in that the present invention does not determine a winner by determining the point value of the cards. Rather, the present invention determines a loser by determining the last player with cards in his or her hand.

None of the card games disclosed in the prior art disclose the apparatus and method of playing the present card game. More specifically, none of the card games disclose a set of specialty cards, a set of numbered cards, and a can koozie that is used as a passing trophy from one losing player to another. It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to method and apparatus for card games. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of method and apparatus for card games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved card game and method of playing wherein the same can be utilized for providing a game play to multiple players.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved card game and method of playing that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved card game apparatus having a set of specialty cards, a set of numbered cards, and a can koozie that is used as a passing trophy from one losing player to another.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method of playing card game comprising the steps of matching the value of a previously played card, playing a card of higher value, or playing a specialty card.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved card game and method of playing wherein the object of the game is to determine a losing player, which is the last player with cards in his or her hand.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved card game wherein the game apparatus may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIGS. 1A through 1C show a view of the specialty cards of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A through 2K show a view of the numbered cards of the present invention.

FIG. 2L shows a rear view of the cards of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a view of a can koozie of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the card game and method of playing. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used to provide game play to multiple players. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A through 2L, there are shown specialty cards and numbered cards of the present invention. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for a card game. The card deck comprises a specialized deck of ten specialty cards as shown in FIGS. 1A through 1C and forty-four numbered cards as shown in FIGS. 2A through 2K. Each of the cards is equal in dimension and shape, and comprises a first side and a second side. The first side of the cards indicates the value of the card and the second side 52 of the cards comprises a printed design thereon to prevent other players from viewing the value of the card, as depicted in FIG. 2L.

Each of the specialty cards 21, 22, 23 indicates a rule or an action that the next player must take. For example, the first specialty card 21 indicates that all of the cards in the play pile must stay, and any card may be played thereafter. The second specialty card 22 indicates that the next card in the pile must be equal to or be greater than the numerical value of the previous numbered card played in the play pile. Finally, the third specialty card 23 indicates that all of the cards in the play pile must be removed from play.

The numerical cards 41-51 are numbered one through eleven. In a preferred embodiment, the card game comprises four sets of each of the numbered cards such that there are four of each numbered cards and thus forty-four numbered cards in total. Each of the numbered cards comprises a printed number on opposing corners of the card on the first side thereof. Additionally, the first side of the numbered cards may comprise a printed illustration thereon. Some of the numbered cards may change or later the rules of the card game. For instance, the number six card 46 indicates that the turn must continue in a reverse order.

The present apparatus further comprises a passing trophy. In the exemplary embodiment, the passing trophy comprises a can koozie, as depicted in FIG. 3. The can koozie 63 comprises a cylindrical body with an open upper end 62 and a closed lower end 64. The can koozie 63 has an interior volume 61 that is configured to receive a bottom portion of a can, a bottle, or a cup therein. The koozie 63 is preferably composed of an insulating material such as foam so as to keep beverage contained therein cool for an extended period of time. Thus, the present koozie 63 may be used as a conventional beverage sleeve. The exterior surface 65 of the koozie 63 may comprise printed design or decorations thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior surface 65 of the koozie 63 reads “U R THE IDIOT.”

While the present koozie 63 may be used as a conventional beverage sleeve, the primary purpose and intent of the koozie 63 of the present invention is to serve as a traveling trophy that can be passed from one losing player to another losing player. The exterior surface 65 of alternate embodiments of the koozie 63, may thus comprise various indicia or design thereon to recognize or evidence of losing the present game play. In some embodiments, the present apparatus may further comprise a card tray for organizing the cards.

In another embodiment of the present, the present invention provides a method of playing the present card game. The present card game may be played with two or more players. The object of the game is to determine the loser of the game rather than the winner. Each player is dealt three cards face down in a side-by-side fashion, and three cards face up so that each of the face up cards is positioned on top of the three face down cards. These cards are set aside as a reserve deck to be used toward the end of the game.

The remaining cards are then distributed to each of the players until no cards remain. Thus, the number of cards in each player's hand varies upon the number of players in the game. Thereafter, a first player starts the game by discarding or playing a single specialty card or up to four identical numbered cards, creating a play pile. The next player may play up to four identical numbered cards in one turn, or one specialty card, and place the cards in the play pile. If a numbered card is played, the numbered card must be equal to, or greater than the single numbered card played by the first player. When four cards of the same value are laid in a row, the entire play pile is removed from play.

If a specialty card is played, the players must follow the rules indicated on the specialty card. For example, the first specialty card 21 indicates all of the cards in the play pile must stay. The first specialty card 21 is played when a player cannot play a card that is equal to, or greater than the previously played card. When the first specialty card 21 is played, the next player may play any card thereafter. In this way, the first specialty card 21 puts the play pile back to zero. If the second specialty card 22 is played, the next card in the pile must be equal to or be greater than the numerical value of the previous numbered card played in the play pile. Finally, if the third specialty card 23 is played, all of the cards in the play pile must be removed from play.

Each player subsequently takes turns playing cards that are equal to, or great than the last played numbered card in the play pile. As such, one player may play a card with a high numerical value to make it increasingly difficult for the next player to dispose a card of equal or greater value into the play pile. If a player does not possess a specialty card or cannot play a card that is equal to, or great than the last numbered card in the play pile, the player must add the entire play pile to his or her hand of cards.

Players must play all cards in their hand before playing from the reserve deck. The face up cards of the reserve deck are played first, and all of the face up cards must be played before the face down cards can be played. If none of the face up cards is a specialty card, or is not equal to or greater than the previously played card, the player must add all of the cards from the play pile to his or her hand. Additionally, the player may pick one of the face up cards and add it to his or her hand. These cards must be played before the remaining face up cards are played. If two or three of the face up cards are of the same numerical value, however, the player may add all of the face up cards to his or her hand.

When all of the face up cards are played, the face down cards may be played, one card at a time. If a face down card in the player's hand is not a specialty card, or is not equal to or greater than the previously played card, the player must add all of the cards from the play pile to his or her hand. These cards must then be played before the remaining face down cards are played. As described previously, the player must add all of the cards from the play pile to his or her hand if the next face down card played is not a specialty card, or is not equal to or greater than the previously played card. The last player with cards in his or her possession loses the game, and receives the passing trophy or the can koozie as a traveling trophy, which may be passed onto the next losing player at a later round of the game play.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A card game apparatus, comprising: at least one set of specialty cards; at least one set of numbered cards; a passing trophy, wherein said passing trophy is a can koozie.
 2. The card game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said can koozie comprises a cylindrical body with an open upper end and a closed lower end.
 3. The card game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said can koozie is passed from one losing player to another losing player.
 4. The card game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one set of specialty cards comprises a first specialty card indicating that all cards in a play pile must stay in play, and any card may be played thereafter.
 5. The card game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one set of specialty cards comprises a second specialty card indicating that a next played card must be equal to or be greater than the numerical value of a previously played card.
 6. The card game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one set of specialty cards comprises a third specialty card indicating that all cards in a play pile must be removed from play.
 7. The card game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one set of numbered cards comprises four sets of cards that are numbered from one to eleven.
 8. The method of playing a card game of claim 1, comprising the steps of: providing a deck of playing cards containing at least one set of specialty cards and at least one set of numbered cards; dealing three cards face down and three cards face up to each player; dealing remaining cards to each player to create a hand for each player until no cards remain; a first player playing at most four cards or a specialty card to create a play pile; each player taking a turn, each turn comprising; playing said at most four cards or said specialty card; wherein each of said at most four cards is identical to each other and a numerical value of each of at most four cards is equal to or greater than a numerical value of said card; if four of at most four cards are played at once, removing said play pile from play, or if said specialty card is played, following the rules of said specialty card, or if a second player does not possess at most four cards having a numerical value that is equal to or greater than a numerical value of said card, said second player adding said play pile to said hand of said second player; playing until one player has cards remaining; declaring a loser of the game; wherein said loser of the game is the last player to have cards remaining; said loser receiving a passing trophy.
 9. The method of playing of claim 8, wherein the rules of said specialty card indicate that all cards in said play pile must stay in play, and any card may be played thereafter.
 10. The method of playing of claim 8, wherein the rules of said specialty card indicate that a next played card must be equal to or be greater than the numerical value of a previously played card.
 11. The method of playing of claim 8, wherein the rules of said specialty card indicate that all cards in said play pile must be removed from play.
 12. The method of playing of claim 8, wherein said passing trophy is a can koozie. 